I am a Professor of English at Erie Community College North in Buffalo, N.Y. I have 5 books, 4 chapbooks, and 1 CD of poetry. I am married to Maria Sebastian, a well-known singer/songwriter, and we perform our poetry and music together at many venues in the WNY area. For more information please visit my website: www.perrynicholas.com

SUBMERGED

I spend the best part of my dayspretending not to seem forgetful, look feeble,hear every syllable uttered in my direction.I try not to wear old man sweaters.Sometimes I detect your sounds as pingsunderwater, my mouth falls open,heartrate runs below the surfacelike a submarine travelling under the radar.Won’t you cherish me above ground, dear?Memory so much to offer, thoughnot always at a master marine level.I’ve enough self-awareness to change clothes,enough energy to turn up when you fade,love to lead the way into my decade.

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